Northwest Arkansas Emerging Leaders celebrated the diversity and culture of Northwest Arkansas at the inaugural Kitchen Takeover on March 4. 
Held at MOD Restaurant & Social in Bentonville, it benefited Canopy Northwest Arkansas, a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization started by Northwest Arkansas residents who are working to create a place of refuge for people fleeing persecution due to race, membership in a particular social group, political opinion, religion, or national origin.
Attendees enjoyed a three-course Congolese meal, complete with wine pairings and signature cocktails, while listening to the stories of refugees around the world that resettled to NWA through the work of Canopy Northwest Arkansas.
The event was the first in a series of quarterly “Kitchen Takeovers” that will feature a different international cuisine each time.
“Northwest Arkansas Emerging Leaders wants to highlight the culture and diversity that we have here in our region,” said Ross Phillips, Director of Community Development for the Rogers-Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce. “We want to be known as a place that accepts people for who they are and embrace their culture. No one should ever be ashamed of who they are and where they come from.”
More information about NWAEL can be found on their Facebook page or at NWAEmergingLeaders.com.
